False spring: The end of Tunisia's revolutionary hopes?

"Fifteen years ago, a Tunisian fruit seller, Mohamed Bouazizi, despairing at official corruption and police violence, walked to the centre of his hometown of Sidi Bouzid, set himself on fire, and changed the region forever. Much of the hope triggered by that act lies in ruins. The revolutions that followed in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria have cost the lives of tens and thousands before, in some cases, giving way to chaos or the return of authoritarianism."

"Only Tunisia appeared to fulfil the promise of the Arab Spring, with voices from around the world championing its democratic success, ignoring economic and political failings through much of its post-revolutionary history that stirred discontent. Today, many of Tunisia's post-revolutionary gains have been cast aside in the wake of President Kais Saied's dramatic power grab in July 2021. Labelled a coup by his opponents, it ushered in a new hardline rule in Tunisia."

"Over the following years, as well as temporarily shuttering parliament only reopening it in March 2023 Saied has rewritten the constitution and overseen a relentless crackdown on critics and opponents. They essentially came for everyone; judges, civil society members, people from all political backgrounds, especially the ones that were talking about unifying an opposition against the coup regime, Kaouther Ferjani, whose father, 71-year-old Ennahdha leader Said Ferjani, was arrested in February 2023."

Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation in Sidi Bouzid sparked widespread uprisings across the Arab world fifteen years ago. Revolutions in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria caused tens of thousands of deaths and in many places ended in chaos or a return to authoritarian rule. Tunisia initially seemed to achieve democratic transition but persistent economic and political failings bred discontent. President Kais Saied's July 2021 power grab, labeled a coup by opponents, closed parliament, rewrote the constitution and launched a relentless crackdown. Judges, civil society members and political figures have been targeted. Public fear and widespread election boycotts have weakened democratic processes.

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